This position is highly instructive and, at the same time, rather difficult. If you don’t get the answer, don’t worry about it. The way you get better is to play through these moves because this is one of the best examples of how to punish someone who hasn’t castled. You get to win material and the game if you act decisively here.

Solution:

First you have to give up material. Then you get back dividends from the investment: 1.Nc5 Rc7 [If Black takes the knight, then White gives away the bishop and the whole Black position falls apart! Worth playing out: 1...dxc5 2.Bf4 Bd6 (2...Qxf4 3.Qxb7 Bd6 4.g3 Qb4 5.Qc8+ Ke7 6.Qxh8) 3.Rxd6 0–0 4.Rxd7 Rb6 5.Qxc5 Qe8 6.Qc6] 2.Nxd7 Rxc6 3.Nxb8 Rc8 4.Na6 d5 5.b4 Bd6 6.Nc5 Bxc5 7.bxc5 0–0 8.Bf4 Rxc5 9.Bd6 That’s why you castled as soon as possible!

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